An interesting moment on the road

[Insanity_rules]

Well It goes like this.... Me and the mighty VTZ of doom were on our way the the Cruisy Wednesday Ride when I, only half looking and out of habit happened did the nod to a biker going in the oposite direction who happened to be to my surprise......A mounted Copper! And he nodded back like a true devotee.

How trippy is that?

Anyone ever tried (or will admit to) doing that? Go that Guy, he really reminded me that bike cops are you beaut, dyed in the wool bikers too albeit very law abiding, non speeding ones. Have you nodded to Mr Plod today? Try it!

OMG and a thread with no police put downs, bitching, cager put downs or anything.

[Gubb]

A waving thread.

Really?

But yes, I got a nod from one last week.

[roy.nz]

Got a nod back once, but usually just saying thanks with the hand when i lane split past them..

[Skunk]

Always wave to bikers if I can (without going overboard). One of the coppers in Wellywood was a friendly bloke who rode a Blackbird. I'm sure he never broke the speed limit :whistle:

[Big Dave]

I talk to them at the lights too if suitable.

A big difference between winners and losers in this world is who you have on your side.

[Ixion]

I've often waved to bikie cops (admittedly, sometimes I don't realise they're cops until after I wave, it's sort of automatic). Often they wave or nod back.

[wbks]

Going a little off topic but what bikes to cops ride? I've only ever seen the beemers but the other day I'm SURE I saw one out of the corner of my eye riding past on a vfr800

[Insanity_rules]

Going a little off topic but what bikes to cops ride? I've only ever seen the beemers but the other day I'm SURE I saw one out of the corner of my eye riding past on a vfr800

I'm sure I've seen one on a Honda PC800 or something that looked like one.

[Ixion]

Nowadays, only Beemers I think. But until VERY recently , there were a few reactionary old holdouts still on the onda ST1100s (eh, Mr Nodman ?)

[wbks]

I reckon the highway patrol 'busa like they have in the UK would be better :shifty:

[86GSXR]

I never would have thought that biker cops wouldn't speed. Why wouldn't they? If it's necessary to do the job, anything goes within reason doesn't it, that's what the law usually allows for surely? The law can rock and be totally trippy :clap:

[Big Dave]

I never would have thought that biker cops wouldn't speed.


I ride with a senior officer occasionally, (not a bike cop)- outside the lines of duty the bust they get is far worse than us civilian schmos.

Once upon a time it used to be open slather and they were the BEST dudes to ride with.

Now it's all career ramifications.

[The Pastor]

i always wave at the cops. but they seem to take offence at my waves.

[Big Dave]

i always wave at the cops. but they seem to take offence at my waves.

Use the other two fingers as well.

[86GSXR]

Career ramifications are a sorry reflection on the workforce these days, but hopefully, just hopefully things will improve. Bike cops still have a lot of fun, they must, how couldn't they? I would if I were them once I'd read the rules :pinch:

[quickbuck]

Going a little off topic but what bikes to cops ride? I've only ever seen the beemers but the other day I'm SURE I saw one out of the corner of my eye riding past on a vfr800

Beemers and Honda ST1100's.... left over from APEC.
They have a longitudinal V4 in them. And it is joked that if you do the Rider Training Course on a Honda rather than a BMW, you are cheating!
I assure you that it doesn't make it much easier.... Hell, I was still challenged on my little CBR600.

Not sure if they have any other models in their fleet... but will find out.

I always wave to the Bikie Cops. Done a bit of training with them, and they often come to work for training, so get to meet many.
The skills course they do is well worth the time.... You just have to be in the right place to be able to do one though......

[Big Dave]

You just have to be in the right place to be able to do one though......

The instructors will run a training session for organised groups.
They ran a very good session at a recent RAT raid in Masterton.

[quickbuck]

The instructors will run a training session for organised groups.
They ran a very good session at a recent RAT raid in Masterton.

Correct, they do.....
Just I'm not in the position to be able to say where and when....
Will be getting them up to Ohakea for us before summer is out for another one.

I know they did one for HOG on Ohakea back in November.

[86GSXR]

If they do the course down this way I would sign up in an instant. I wouldn't join up though, I'm a bit old for that now, prefer to just fire up and go at a whim :yes:

[quickbuck]

If they do the course down this way I would sign up in an instant. I wouldn't join up though, I'm a bit old for that now, prefer to just fire up and go at a whim :yes:


Well, actually for them it is UP.
The Police College is in Wellington, and that is where the instructor is based.

I might look and see if we can get the public involved in the next one if it is under subscribed......

Funny how many people are too scared to demonstrate their riding skills in front of a Police Officer.....
I was amazed.... Then realised that the people who get all flustered actually do lack a lot of confidence!
They appear to have it when the helmet is on and visor is down, but when being "watched" they crumble!
Scary to think what would happen when it hits the fan on the road.

I'm telling you, it is a great course, and they will not be issuing tickets for anything! My bike wasn't even road legal.... Doesn't have to be on an airfield ;)

Oh, about APEC time I had a desire to join the Police so I could ride the bikes....
Then I realised what part of the job entails.......
The bikes are the vehicles that get through to the traffic jam to the cause.... and I hate the sight of leaking bodies.....
So I continue to fix things that don't feel pain :)

[eelracing]

I did a track day some years back at Manfield and there were about 5 or 6 coppers racing around as well.Man they could punt those fat old tourers too.

Back in the day i even contemplated joining as the thought of being payed to ride bikes was quite appealing.But around the same time the then Govt slashed the traffic cop division,so that put payed to that idea.

[quickbuck]

Back in the day i even contemplated joining as the thought of being payed to ride bikes was quite appealing.But around the same time the then Govt slashed the traffic cop division,so that put payed to that idea.

Yep, the bean counters hated the bikes as they were far too expensive to maintain. It cost more to run a bike than a commodore.

Silly things caused this though... Things like the copper dropping his bike.
Hence the tough training they do now.
Also all the bikes would be lined up in a row, and then the one on the end falls over and causes all the dominoes to fall...... The headlights would get broken at over $1000 a piece.....
Of course all of this is hearsay ;)

[86GSXR]

I hate blood too, but with the right training I'd be there as quickly as I could, if I could. I love life and wish I could save them. Death is too instantaneous sometimes and I can't go into the finer details of averting it. Simply because I don't know, who does?

Bikes are expensive, sometimes it's better to write them off than to repair, although it's even better to avoid ooop'ss altogether........

[WuZards-Eugene]

about a month ago I was on Cruisy Wednesday ride, stopped to see what was happening with sams bike, then since there were another 5 people there helping I buggered off up the rimutakas. Daringly I caught up to a Copper on his beemer. Once he hit the hill he went ballistic, couldnt believe what I was seeing. I cautiously kept up with him on my ZX10, passing cars left right and center. We catch up to richie from tss, then stop at the top. The cop pulls in as well an has a friendly chat with us, jesus who would have thought. Only when he said that its a pain in his arse to ride the bike all the time was when I stopped liking him. Seemed like a good bloke tho.

[eelracing]

Only when he said that its a pain in his arse to ride the bike all the time was when I stopped liking him. Seemed like a good bloke tho.

If he meant riding a fat ol beemer i can understand.

But if he meant bikes in general then he's a waste of space.Prob drives a commondore too.

[Winston001]

Only when he said that its a pain in his arse to ride the bike all the time was when I stopped liking him. Seemed like a good bloke tho.

Its probably fine in good weather but in rain, wind, heavy traffic etc, riding could get a bit tedious. Taking gloves on and off, always having to put stuff securely away as compared with just tossing it in a car. Most cops I've ever talked to who liked bikes enjoyed riding on the job. The weather was the biggest minus. Hot city conditions as bad as anything.

[nico]

Going a little off topic but what bikes to cops ride? I've only ever seen the beemers but the other day I'm SURE I saw one out of the corner of my eye riding past on a vfr800
they used to ride st1100's i think
before they got the contract with bmw

[jrandom]

Only when he said that its a pain in his arse to ride the bike all the time was when I stopped liking him.

But riding a bike all the time is a pain in the arse.

[Sparrowhawk]

Only when he said that its a pain in his arse to ride the bike all the time was when I stopped liking him.

Once you have to do anything every day, it becomes tedious. Instead of being free to jump on the bike for a blat, you have to get on the bike, for an 8 hour shift of work. And, despite all the shit the cops get around here, I don't think anyone would suggest that a bike cop has an easy job (or any cop really).

I know a guy that works on NZV8 engines. I thought he was the luckiest bastard I met that week. But he said, "nah, I'm over it. The engines are all the same, and the time pressures are huge". What I'm saying is anything you enjoy, no matter how much, can turn into a chore when you do it 40+ hours a week, every week.

[JimO]

we dont have bike cops here

[Dooly]

Career ramifications are a sorry reflection on the workforce these days, but hopefully, just hopefully things will improve. Bike cops still have a lot of fun, they must, how couldn't they? I would if I were them once I'd read the rules :pinch:

I know a few bike cops, they ride sprots bikes including Gixxer thous.
They ride just as hard, slow, and fast as us.
They know the shit they would get in if they are caught doing whatever.
They are radar detectored up too.
They accept its part of it.

In fact one did a runner from a HP cop one day I was with him.
Ok, he did'nt know it until I told him when we stopped miles away, as he did'nt see the HP in the bushes, and then pull out to come get us, as we blasted past the Taupo plains at a tad over 100 kph.:banana:

He did say his career would of been over if he had been ticketed etc etc at that speed.
20 yr veteran too.

[Big Dave]

But riding a bike all the time is a pain in the arse.


Oh rly?

Please explain.

[86GSXR]

I know a few bike cops, they ride sprots bikes including Gixxer thous.
They ride just as hard, slow, and fast as us.
They know the shit they would get in if they are caught doing whatever.
They are radar detectored up too.
They accept its part of it.

In fact one did a runner from a HP cop one day I was with him.
Ok, he did'nt know it until I told him when we stopped miles away, as he did'nt see the HP in the bushes, and then pull out to come get us, as we blasted past the Taupo plains at a tad over 100 kph.:banana:

He did say his career would of been over if he had been ticketed etc etc at that speed.
20 yr veteran too.

Exactly. And it's sad that we have to hammer the good guys in order to compensate for the minority (non cops) who can't play by the rules. Whatever happened to the good old fashioned slap on the wrist and a warning. That should be enough for those with some sense of responsibility. Glad you guys weren't stopped that day :yes:

[Dooly]

Exactly. And it's sad that we have to hammer the good guys in order to compensate for the minority (non cops) who can't play by the rules. Whatever happened to the good old fashioned slap on the wrist and a warning. That should be enough for those with some sense of responsibility. Glad you guys weren't stopped that day :yes:

It was about 10 years ago when I was younger, dumber?, and a bit reckless on the roads then.
Not sure what the rules were then regards impound, licence loss for speed etc.
He was on a new TL1000 and me on my new RF900.
I was sucked onto his draft right behind him.
Speedo was showing 270....oops mean 107.:laugh::no::Police:
We were pretty well running the bikes in.
Just decided to give it an open up on the Taupo plains on the way home.

[Insanity_rules]

about a month ago I was on Cruisy Wednesday ride, stopped to see what was happening with sams bike, then since there were another 5 people there helping I buggered off up the rimutakas. Daringly I caught up to a Copper on his beemer. Once he hit the hill he went ballistic, couldnt believe what I was seeing. I cautiously kept up with him on my ZX10, passing cars left right and center. We catch up to richie from tss, then stop at the top. The cop pulls in as well an has a friendly chat with us, jesus who would have thought. Only when he said that its a pain in his arse to ride the bike all the time was when I stopped liking him. Seemed like a good bloke tho.

Snap, I was one of the bikers who stopped to help Sam. Saw Ritchie on his way down too. Jeez his bike sounds good wound up and scooting the hill, go the CBR.

[86GSXR]

It was about 10 years ago when I was younger, dumber?, and a bit reckless on the roads then.
Not sure what the rules were then regards impound, licence loss for speed etc.
He was on a new TL1000 and me on my new RF900.
I was sucked onto his draft right behind him.
Speedo was showing 270....oops mean 107.:laugh::no::Police:
We were pretty well running the bikes in.
Just decided to give it an open up on the Taupo plains on the way home.

I think it was just demerits and the fine. I did 3 months walking in 89 for speeding on my 85 Gixxer. It was a fair cop though (except for the one late at night on a deserted road at about 12k over) and I did get a lot fitter. Never drove once but I was glad to get it back. Oh, and new bikes do need running in properly eh lol

[Dooly]

Oh, and new bikes do need running in properly eh lol

Yep, used to ride to Taupo sedately on its first real ride, give it heaps on the way home, all done.
Never any probs with them.
Had a few new bikes in the 90s, did that to all.:niceone:

[86GSXR]

I loved running in the new Trumpys, not one ticket either (touch wood) :yes:

[MsKABC]

An ex of mine was/is a cop. He rode a bike for a short time, a beemer. I remember trying to push-start the bloody thing down our driveway one day :angry2:

He was a pretty quick rider - used to register his bike & car to the address of the cop shop in case he ever got pulled over :whistle:

Not biker cop-related, but a funny story dad told the other day.... Him and a couple of mates were on their way home from a shooting tournament, pulled up at some lights next to a patrol car. The guy in the back of his van was a bit merry and had been squirting pedestrians with a big water pistol. He then turns it on the copper!! :crazy: Cop turns his head to look at them ever so slowly, bends forward toward the floor dramatically...(Dad's behind the wheel yelling at his mate for being such an effing dickhead :angry2:, thinking "oh no, now we're really in the crapper")... and then whips out a water pistol of his own and shoots back! :rofl: :Police:

[The Stranger]

So you just discovered that Police are human and felt you needed to share this amazing revelation with us?

[86GSXR]

Lol, the day I got my license removed I was lying in bed early one wet Monday morning and I hear the whole conversation about my license through my stereo which had picked up the bikes radio transmission. Next thing there's the knock on the door and the helmeted :Police: says he's really sorry but can he please have my license. It was really funny in a painful kind of way :laugh:

[wbks]

I see the busa comment earned me a few reds from what I can only assume are the people who run from the slow holdens and beemers! lmao

[awayatc]

Done about 5000 kms over the last few weeks, Norf and Souf.....but the biker that seemed to enjoy himself almost as much as myself, or maybe even more was riding a police beemer......into Motueka, and later on that same day out of Motueka....
Oh, and just before he twisted his throttle to blast past some lingering cage he gave me a very exuberant wave.... both times.....

you could tell he was enjoying the ride just as much as any other biker,....
(pretty sure he was speeding just as much as I was by the way....)

Happy new year to all!

[jrandom]

Please explain.

The lack of retractable cupholders, not to mention a passenger seat upon which to place Dunkin Donut 12-packs, would be the real killer.

[Ixion]

So you just discovered that Police are human and felt you needed to share this amazing revelation with us?

Steady on, I wouldn't go as far as that.

[WierNixie]

Beemers and Honda ST1100's.... left over from APEC.
They have a longitudinal V4 in them. And it is joked that if you do the Rider Training Course on a Honda rather than a BMW, you are cheating!
I assure you that it doesn't make it much easier.... Hell, I was still challenged on my little CBR600.

Not sure if they have any other models in their fleet... but will find out.

I always wave to the Bikie Cops. Done a bit of training with them, and they often come to work for training, so get to meet many.
The skills course they do is well worth the time.... You just have to be in the right place to be able to do one though......
What sort of training, and where?

[quickbuck]

What sort of training, and where?

I have done the Police basic riders skills course (Road bike side) with them on one of the Taxiways at RNZAF Base Ohakea.

[scumdog]

I ride with a senior officer occasionally, (not a bike cop)- outside the lines of duty the bust they get is far worse than us civilian schmos.

Once upon a time it used to be open slather and they were the BEST dudes to ride with.

Now it's all career ramifications.

What 'e sed.:doh:

[scumdog]

Soooo, cops who are bike riders but happen to drive cars for work don't rate like those who happen to be on a bike when you see them eh??

[quickbuck]

Soooo, cops who are bike riders but happen to drive cars for work don't rate like those who happen to be on a bike when you see them eh??

Mate, I wouldn't swap jobs (careers) with you ever......
I have a huge respect for what the Police do in all forms of the job.

A good friend of mine left to join the Police.... they came back.
Many don't. I saw a former work mate on TV the other night commenting on policing the local beach.... I'm sure he loves the job, but I bet he never had the same issues with his 5 troops while in his previous one.

I guess many see it different though.